The rapid and widespread adoption of digitisation has transformed the way government departments work. One example is the introduction of a new e-filing portal. The Indian government introduced this portal on 7 June 2021 on behalf of the Income Tax Department. Its primary objective was to streamline the income tax payment system and make the process more accessible and convenient for taxpayers.
The new income tax portal has revolutionised the tax payment system. It has made it easier to pay taxes, track refund status, submit the necessary documents, etc. Here is a brief guide on the new portal and direct tax payment.
Features of the New Income Tax e-filing Portal
Every taxpayer should know the following salient features of the new e-filing portal:
· Quick Processing: The new portal has a user-friendly interface that immediately processes the ITR, enabling quick direct tax payments and refunds.
· Free Software for ITR Preparation: With free software for ITR preparation, taxpayers can process their ITR more quickly and easily without hassle.
· Call Centre: The new e-filing portal has a dedicated call centre that immediately responds to taxpayers’ queries. Moreover, detailed tutorials, FAQs, live agents, and videos address issues efficiently.
· Interaction with Single Dashboard: Taxpayers can view all their uploads, interactions, and pending actions through a single online dashboard.
· Multiple Payment Options: The new filing portal supports multiple payment methods, including NEFT, RTGS, UPI, credit card, net banking, etc.
· Pre-filled ITR: The new portal pre-fills the taxpayers’ details related to their salary, business or profession, house property, etc., reducing the chances of delays or errors.
· Reminders: In the case of delays, the portal sends reminders to taxpayers to complete the pending filings.
Benefits of the New Income Tax Portal
Below are the leading benefits of the new income tax e-filing portal:
· The new portal is taxpayer-friendly with an easy-to-use interface.
· Integration with ITR processing enables fast filing and refunds.
· The portal allows taxpayers to file their income tax forms and submit responses adequately.
· Taxpayers can upload their professional details once and get them pre-filled whenever they want to file their ITRs.
Steps to Register with the New Income Tax Portal
· Visit the new e-filing portal at http://www.incometax.gov.in/.
· Click 'Register', enter PAN, and click 'Validate'.
· Enter the required details like name, gender, residential status, date of birth, etc.
· Enter contact details, including email address, mobile number, etc.
· Click on ‘Continue’.
· Enter both OTPs received on the registered mobile number and email address.
· Review the details and click ‘Confirm’.
· Click ‘Set password and Confirm password’, enter the desired password, and click ‘Register’.
Steps to Login to the New Income Tax Portal
Taxpayers can log into the new e-filing portal using any of the following methods:
1. Using E-Filing Password
· Visit the portal and click ‘Login’.
· Enter PAN in the textbox and click ‘Continue’.
· Confirm 'Secure Access Message', enter the password, and click ‘Continue’.
· The dashboard will appear after successful validation.
2. Using Aadhaar OTP
· Visit the portal and click ‘Login’.
· Enter PAN in the textbox.
· Confirm the 'Secure Access Message', enter the password, and click 'Continue.'
· Those with an OTP must select ‘I already have OTP on mobile number registered with Aadhaar’. If not, click on ‘Generate OTP’.
· On the ‘Verify it’s you’ page, click ‘I agree to validate my Aadhaar Details > Generate Aadhaar OTP.'
· Enter the 6-digit OTP and click ‘Login’.
· The dashboard will appear after successful validation.
3. Using Net Banking
· Visit the portal and click ‘Login’.
· Click ‘Through Net Banking’ under the ‘Higher Security Options’ tab.
· Choose the preferred bank and click ‘Continue’.
· Understand the disclaimer and click ‘Continue’.
· Log in to the net banking account and click on the portal's link.
The introduction of the new income tax e-filing portal has drastically transformed how taxpayers make direct tax payments. It is a one-stop solution that every Indian citizen can use to file and pay their income tax from the comfort of their home. Timely tax payments save money and contribute to the nation’s economic growth and development.
